Distinguishing Between Alloy Steel and Carbon Steel

One of the most widely used industrial materials worldwide is steel. It is created by fusing iron with various elements and metals through different processes that change the properties of the alloy both chemically and physically. The changed properties of the steel alloy are useful in various applications across different industries because of their improved properties. Steel companies in the UAE offer a wide variety of alloys in different combinations. Alloy steel and carbon steel are among the numerous steel alloys popularly used around the world.

The large number of available options makes it difficult to select the best steel alloy for a certain application. Due to their unique qualities, both carbon steel and alloy steel are two popular steel varieties that are utilized in a variety of industries. It's critical to understand the difference between these two because they enable users to choose the right metal among these two and make an informed decision. In this blog, Khambati Metal Industries, which is one of the top metal companies in the UAE, will take you through a detailed guide to the difference between alloy steel and carbon steel.

Here are a few common hazards encountered while handling steel sheets that you must be careful about.

What is Carbon steel?

As the name implies, carbon steel is a type of steel that is made mostly of iron and carbon combined in varying ratios to produce an alloy that is resilient, strong, and adaptable. Although other variations may also contain traces of elements like silicon and manganese, carbon still makes up the majority of the alloy composition. Carbon steel is a fantastic material because of its relative ease of use, adaptability, and lower cost of production. It is quickly producible and doesn't require a complex production method. But simplicity comes with comparatively less corrosion resistance, hardness, and strength. Carbon steel is easily available from stainless steel suppliers in the UAE.

Types Of Carbon Steel

Low-carbon steel

Low-carbon steel is sometimes also known as mild steel and has a carbon content of roughly 0.3%. Its ductility makes it a great material for applications that need a great deal of flexibility and complex features. The best examples of mild steel products are steel fences and wires. This steel is easily available with steel trading companies in Dubai and can be brought for various applications in bulk quantities from Khambati Metal Industries.

Medium Carbon Steel

Medium-carbon steel contains carbon between 0.3% and 0.6% of the mixture's total concentration. It is frequently utilized in applications that call for a balance between strength and ductility since it is more resilient than low-carbon steel. Shaft, gear, and axle are among the common applications of medium-carbon steel.

Very High Carbon Steel

Cast iron, is another name for very high-carbon steel. Cast iron has a carbon content of 1.4% to 2.0%. It is frequently used in applications that require metal with exceptional hardness and wear resistance, despite its considerable brittleness.

Do read our blog titled “How Are Steel Pipes Used in Various Industrial Applications?”

What is Alloy Steel?

Iron, carbon, and several other elements, including nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, are combined to create alloy steel. The extra components give alloy steel its distinct qualities and further improve its already exceptional physical attributes, such as strength, hardness, and resistance to corrosion.

But all of the previously mentioned attributes are not free. Compared to carbon steel, alloy steel requires a more complex and resource-intensive production process. This indicates that the production of alloy steel is more costly and time-consuming. However, you can find any of the alloy steel types in huge quantities with Khambati Metal Industries, which is one of the oldest steel manufacturing companies in Dubai. From alloy steel screws to I-sections, bars, and pipes, you will find everything in huge quantities with us.

Types of Alloy Steel

Chromium Steel

As the name implies, the main alloying element in chromium steel is chromium, which enhances high-temperature strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. It is widely used in high-end applications such as drilling equipment and aerospace components, although it is highly expensive. However, for high-end applications, this type of steel is best suited, and you can easily find chromium steel at a steel company in Dubai near you.

Nickel Steel

The main alloying ingredient that increases toughness, ductility, and corrosion resistance in steel alloys is nickel. This type of steel is frequently utilized in parts of aviation engines, chemical processing apparatus, and gas turbine blades. Structural steel suppliers in the UAE often have nickel steel orders for various structural applications.

Molybdenum Steel

Molybdenum steel contains molybdenum as the principal alloying element. The addition of molybdenum increases the high-temperature strength and wear resistance of the alloy, making it suitable for various applications.

Vanadium Steel

Applications such as axles, crankshafts, and gears frequently use vanadium steel as their core component. Vanadium steel contains vanadium as its core component. The addition of vanadium improves the strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance of the alloy.

Tool Steel

As the name suggests, tool steel is used for manufacturing several types of tools. Tool steel alloy has many alloying elements, including tungsten, molybdenum, and chromium, which increase its toughness, wear resistance and hardness. Tool steel is usually used in cutters, jigs, fixtures, and tooling molds.

Difference Between Alloy and Carbon Steel

By definition, carbon steel is also an alloy in technical terms. However, due to the significant differences between alloys and carbon steel, it isn't regarded as such by metal trading companies in the UAE as well as manufacturers. For high-intensity applications, alloy steel is best suited and elevates the inherent strength of carbon steel. It is noteworthy that carbon steel is not weak in and of itself, so it’s easier to assess how strong alloy steel must be.

Because alloying metals such as nickel and chromium are added, alloy steel is far stronger than carbon steel. Similarly, alloy steel is better suited for many demanding applications requiring high strength due to its increased yield and tensile strength. For high-end applications, experts working in the metal industries in the UAE will always recommend using alloy steel over carbon steel.

Also, read our blog titled “Khambati Metal & Steel Industries: A Guide for Different Types of Steel.”

Conclusion

In several sectors, alloys and carbon steel are both essential components. The exact application and necessary material qualities will determine which option is best. At Khambati Metal Industries, you can find both alloy steel products and carbon steel products in huge quantities at any given time.